In my 25+ years in the PEO industry, I have run across many visionaries, "idea" people who know how they are going to change the PEO industry. Whether it is someone new to the industry like Anthony LaPorte or Tracy Culicerto or a veteran like Bill Maness or David Carlesimo, the PEO industry is full of great visionaries. Phil discusses the EOS system for visionaries and the importance of having an integrator by your side to gain traction and growth. I hope you find the concept as interesting as I have.

Being in PEO means that you need to try new things to improve on your service, so in today's episode, Jean Goldstein TAKES OVER the InSync PEO Podcast to explore all things PEO, Hawaiian style, with Marci LaRouech of Makai HR. Marci, discusses her journey in the PEO industry, leaving and then being pulled back into the industry! Marci's time away allowed her to discover the importance of emotional intelligence an how very important it to operating a top-level Hawaiian Boutique PEO.

Tracy started her PEO about one year ago, but already sounds like a veteran by focusing on her goals, getting the right people in the right positions. I admire Tracy's efforts even more when I realized that she has a toddler and is due in October. (Send her baby gifts.) She certainly is a Next Generation leader in the PEO industry and yet another Women in NAPEO star. But my favorite part of the interview was her glorious laugh. Shout out to Lee Yarborough.

This episode with with Tom easily could have been two great episodes.

Initially Tom talks about being a small PEO in Madison, Wisconsin and the level of personal service that his company provided, including his hand delivery of payrolls to his clients, which further solidified that bond. In addition, Tom was the first to use the ASO model as an upgrade to the PEO model and QTI actually charged his clients more for that service.

In the second half, Tom talks about his current company The PEO Auxiliary and why it is better to have a neutral TPA provide 125 plans and COBRA services. He explains how one of the companies he works with pays interest on HSA accounts.

Nick Soman taught me that stories are how we communicate best, and Tom is certainly a story teller.

I have been trying to interview Dale for nearly a year now. Dale started his PEO career as the CEO of Accord HR back in 1992, and shares his wisdom on transactions with VC as well as Accord's Sale to a large PEO in 2012. A buyer's focus is on predictable revenue, continual growth, and client retention.

Dale and his partner Marilyn Conyer had worked together for many years at Accord and in 2015 they began to plan for the creation of Spirit HR. By focusing on personalized customer service, as well as technology that assists in providing great customer service, the two have a winning formula. 

And I would listen just to find out what Dale's first entrepreneurial adventure was.

Jason Randall went from PEO client, to developing a sales team for a large PEO, to the CEO of Questco. Jason's experiences are helping to grow Questco into a strong regional PEO of about 30,000 WSEs. Jason's recipe is simple, know where you are going, develop processes to allow you to repeat your success and focus on the client. While originally a blue-collar PEO focused company, Questco has focused on the white-collar client. Organic growth as well as acquisitions, is making Questco a leader to keep an eye on in a very competitive markets. I recommend this interview if you are a start-up looking to grow or a PEO looking to be acquired.

When I stopped to consider who to open Season Two, I realized that I could not have a better person than Pat Cleary. Pat has been leading NAPEO for over a decade and we all would be hard pressed to find a better person to represent our industry. Pat discusses how he came to NAPEO in 2011 and NAPEO's success with national legislation. Pat shares various stories of his time in the industry and why everyone in the PEO universe should be in Palm Springs in September.  Hope to see you there.

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Viking River Cruises offers the PEO industry in California a great opportunity. As most of our target clients have under 100 employees, it is very unlikely that they can take advantage of the decision. PEOs can establish procedures to help businesses of all sizes avoid the dreaded California Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) law suit.

Today's guest, Boris Sorsher, of Fisher & Phillips explains what employers and PEOs should do now to protect themselves from PAGA suits in California.

In the beginning, the PEO Industry was without form.... Mike Miller of Fisher & Phillips, and General Counsel of FAPEO for 37 years discusses the role Disney and Publix had in creating the PEO industry. He explains the real reasons behind the first PEO legislation in the country, and why it is important to have PEO legislation in your state. 

At this time, I am taking a summer break. I intend to do a season wrap up on what I have learned and a special podcast when the Viking River case is issued by the U.S. Supreme Court. I am hesitant to stop recording my podcasts as I have had tremendous support from all of you. You have made the InSync PEO Podcast the fastest growing podcast on PEOs in the country. However, I need to take a brief break but hope to start up again before Labor Day. I already have some interesting people lined up for next season. Thank you for your support.

Jim Mack expands on his NAPEO Insider article on PEO M&A and sets forth the 5 ways a company can improve its valuation. During the episode, Jim  discusses EBITDA (always exciting), shares a story about Carlos from Vincam, and explains his excitement in working with John Allen @ G&A Partners. Even if you do not plan on selling your PEO in the next couple of years, it is good to know Jim's Advice.